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Paradoxical hippocampus perfusion in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease
1Division of Neuroimaging Research, Hyogo Institute for Aging Brain and Cognitive Disorders, Himeji, Japan.
Unlabelled:
The purpose of this study was to clarify the changes in hippocampal perfusion in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease using PET and (15)O-labeled water.
Methods:
Sixteen patients with probable mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (age: 68.1+/-11.3 yr; MMSE: 21.1+/-4.5) and 10 normal volunteers (age: 65.1+/-8.2 yr) were studied. Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) were measured using (15)O-labeled water autoradiographic method, C(15)O-gas inhalation technique and PET.
Results:
Although the mean CBF in the parietotemporal region was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group, the mean CBF in the hippocampus did not show significant reduction between the two groups, both in absolute and relative values. There was no significant regional CBV difference between the two groups. Parietotemporal perfusion correlated well with cognitive scores, both in absolute and relative values, in Alzheimer's disease, but hippocampal perfusion did not correlate well.
Conclusion:
Hippocampal perfusion was preserved in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Insights
Hippocampal perfusion remains stable in early Alzheimer's disease. This study found preserved cerebral blood flow in the hippocampus, unlike the parietotemporal regions, in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Understanding regional brain perfusion changes is crucial for early diagnosis and monitoring AD progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in hippocampal perfusion in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
- To compare hippocampal perfusion with parietotemporal perfusion in relation to cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with (15)O-labeled water was used.
- Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) were measured in 16 AD patients and 10 healthy controls.
- C(15)O-gas inhalation technique was employed.
Main Results:
- No significant reduction in hippocampal CBF was observed in AD patients compared to controls.
- Parietotemporal CBF was significantly lower in AD patients.
- Parietotemporal perfusion correlated with cognitive scores, but hippocampal perfusion did not.
Conclusions:
- Hippocampal perfusion is preserved in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
- Regional differences in perfusion deficits exist within the brain in early AD.
- Hippocampal perfusion may not be a sensitive early biomarker for AD.